2014 Gay Games accepting applications for participation scholarships

Program will cover registration, transportation, housing costs for qualified participants in need

By Georgie Krokus

Published: 2013.12.12 03:08 PM

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The 2014 Gay Games presented by the Cleveland Foundation is proud to announce it will offer a limited number of participation scholarships to qualified individuals living in the United States. Scholarships will be provided for:

 General registration fees for 9-16 August 2014 Gay Games

 Transportation to and from host cities Cleveland+Akron

 Housing

 Registration fee for one (1) sport or cultural event

The scholarship program is based on financial need, allowing those who normally would not be able to attend the Gay Games to come to Cleveland+Akron next August. The estimated value of each scholarship is between $750 and $1,350.

Applicants must be 18 years old by 9 August 2014 to be eligible. The deadline to apply is 15 February 2014. Those awarded scholarships will be notified by 1 April 2014, and they will need to complete the full participant application on the 2014 Gay Games website within two weeks of acceptance. Those who are not selected to receive a scholarship also will be contacted by 2014 Gay Games representatives.

The Federation of Gay Games, which is the sanctioning body of the Gay Games, has its own participation scholarship program for participants outside the United States. It is reviewing applications now and plans to announce the recipients in early 2014.

Tom Nobbe, executive director of the 2014 Gay Games presented by the Cleveland Foundation: “The Gay Games are open to everyone at least 18 years of age, and we want to make the Games accessible to everyone, too. With these scholarships, we are excited to open doors for those who might not otherwise be able to join our celebration of Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best™.”

Participant registration for the 2014 Gay Games is now open. To register for the Games, visit: GG9Cle.com/registration

About the Gay Games

The Gay Games is an international sporting and cultural event held every four years under the founding principles of Participation, Inclusion and Personal Best™. Launched in 1982, the Games invite participation from everybody, regardless of sexual orientation, race, gender, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, political beliefs, athletic or artistic ability, age, physical challenge or health status.

The Games are intended to bring a global community together in friendship, to experience participation, to elevate consciousness and self-esteem, and to achieve a form of cultural and intellectual synergy. The Gay Games is open to anyone 18 years or older. About 10 percent of participants are from outside the LGBT community.

The 2014 Gay Games presented by the Cleveland Foundation will be 9-16 August 2014 in venues around Cleveland and Akron, Ohio, in the United States. More than 35 sports and culture events will be held, with more than 10,000 people from more than 60 countries expected to participate.

For more information, connect with the 2014 Gay Games presented by the Cleveland Foundation:

The Cleveland Foundation is the world’s first community foundation and one of the largest today, with assets of $1.86 billion and 2012 grants of $91 million. Through the generosity of donors, the foundation improves the lives of Greater Clevelanders by building community endowment, addressing needs through grantmaking and providing leadership on vital issues.

As part of its centennial year in 2014, the Cleveland Foundation is proud to be the first presenting sponsor in Gay Games history. The foundation’s support of the Games continues its long-standing commitment to social justice and inclusion.